DIANTHUS DELTOIDES. 
MAIDEN PINK. 
Class. Order. 
DECANDRIA. TRIGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
CARYOPHYLLB M. 
Native of 
Height 
Flowers in 
Duration 
Cultivated 
Britain. 
6 inches. 
June, Aug. 
Perennial. 
in 1597. 
No. 142. 
Having treated of the term Dianthus, under No. 
108, it need not here be repeated. Del toides, from the 
Greek letter delta, which is a triangle; and eidos, 
a likeness, in reference to the triangular character 
of several parts of the plant. 
Linneus considered the present subject a distinct 
species, and called it Dianthus glaucus. It is now 
regarded as a variety only of the common Dianthus 
deltoides, which is of a blush colour, and for this 
reason, Gerard says, it was called the “ Maidenly 
Pink.” Both varieties are extremely pretty, and 
should not be wanting in any collection of this ad- 
mired family. 
The whole of the Dianthus tribe should be care- 
fully protected from too great a portion of mois- 
ture. The common varieties of pinks will frequently 
be lost if planted out in moist and shady borders, 
and more particularly if it be in worn-out or peaty 
soil. In fresh light loam the Dianthus deltoides 
will generally flourish ; and it may be increased by 
a division of its roots, made early in the spring. It 
may either be planted in a pot or in a dry border of 
the garden. 
Ilort. Kew. 2, v. 3, 80. 
